Mexico says H1N1 flu virus declining

 

 

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that it could soon raise its global pandemic alert level to a maximum of six and stressed that any fresh outbreaks of the virus in pigs must be contained and monitored.

 

The WHO pointed to the risk of further spread in humans after a herd of pigs in Canada was infected with the H1N1 flu strain, in what is believed to be the first instance of human to swine transmission, Canadian authorities said. The latest statement on the Canadian health ministry website says the country's confirmed human H1N1 cases have risen to 101.

 

A total of 18 countries have reported 898 cases of human H1N1 influenza infections and 20 deaths, the WHO said, adding Italy to its list of affected countries, but not Colombia, which only reported its first case earlier Sunday (May 3).

 

The number of human deaths in Mexico from the virus was unchanged from late Saturday at 19, while the tally of infected cases had increased to 487 from 454, health minister Jose Angel Cordova told a news conference.

 

Cordova said anti-viral medicine was effective against the flu, and the public's use of face-masks and hand-washing had limited the spread of the virus. Hospital admissions with flu-like symptoms were dropping.

 

The "epidemic is in its phase of decline," he said, adding that it had peaked between April 23 and 28, but he warned the assessment was preliminary and that it was important "not to lower one's guard."

 

Nevertheless, the prospect of the national flu emergency ending soon was viewed with relief across Mexico, the country at the epicentre of the global flu crisis.

 

Locals were increasingly chafing at restrictions that included the shutdown of schools, tourist sites and nonessential businesses, and, in the capital, the closure of bars, restaurants, clubs and cinemas.

 

As pork farmers in Canada insisted their product was safe for consumption a day after some 200 animals at an Alberta farm were found to be infected with the H1N1 influenza virus, WHO experts urged vigilant surveillance of animals in affected countries.

 

"We believe this is something that is necessary to understand better if animals are infected and, if they are, to both protect humans and further spread among the pig population," said food safety scientist, Peter Ben Embarek.

 

But he underlined that the risks came from contact with bodily fluids of animals, not processed or cooked meat, or matured raw ham.

 

Tensions spiked in Egypt over the financial impact of a pork ban, as riot police clashed with stone-throwing pig farmers trying to prevent their animals from being taken away for slaughter as part of a nationwide cull.

 

While the US might have escaped the virulent worst of H1N1 influenza outbreak, top officials said, they stressed the real test would come when the winter influenza season hits in a few months.

 

The H1N1 flu virus was confirmed in more than half of the 50 US states, and officials said WHO was likely to soon raise its global pandemic alert to the maximum level of six.

 

There were 226 US cases confirmed in 30 states. El Salvador and Colombia also reported their first cases Sunday.

 

"When you talk about level six, which they very well could go to this week, all that means is it's widespread throughout the world," US Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on CBS television.

 

In Mexico, authorities confirmed that relatives of a Bangladeshi man who was one of Mexico's 19 H1N1 influenza fatalities were all free from infection.